English vocabulary · C1
Ambivalent
/æmˈbɪv.ə.lənt/ · adj.
When you feel ambivalent, you have both good and bad feelings about the same thing. You want it and do not want it at the same time.
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Example sentences
- Our ambivalent bride smiled, then cried.
- Packing made me ambivalent.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- ambi — both (from Latin)
- val — strong (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- CONFLICTED — pulled by different feelings (Opposite Feelings)
- TORN — pulled in opposite directions (Hard Inner Choice)
- MIXED — both good and bad (Good And Bad Together)
Words with the same root
val — strong
- value — what something is worth
- valid — sound and acceptable
- equivalent — equal in value
Lesson notes
When you feel ambivalent, you have both good and bad feelings about the same thing. You want it and do not want it at the same time.
Related: conflicted, torn, mixed. Use ambivalent when feelings clash.
Our ambivalent bride smiled, then cried. Packing made me ambivalent.
From Latin. Ambi- means both. Val- means strong. Both feelings are strong; an ambivalent bride smiles through tears.